Truck overturns, spilling flour and shutting Southwest Freeway

A big rig overturned in a traffic crash and spilled its load of flour on U.S. 59 near Texas 288 just south of downtown Friday morning, forcing officials to temporarily shutdown the freeway near the wreck site.

The two-vehicle wreck happened about 9 a.m. on the southbound Southwest Freeway near the South Freeway, according to Houston TranStar officials.

Officials said the 18-wheeler was southbound on the Southwest Freeway when the truck and a car collided. The truck slammed into the concrete barrier between the northbound and southbound lanes of traffic and overturned. The truck’s load of flour spilled onto the freeway. The driver of the car was injured and was rushed a nearby hospital. The details of the person’s injuries and condition were not released.

No other injuries were reported.

Investigators are trying to determined what led to the crash.

Officials said the Southwest Freeway will likely be closed near the crash site for at least a few hours while crews clear the area and clean up the flour. Motorists using the Southwest Freeway are urged to detour around the area by using the 610 Loop.